Understanding Childood Cancer Glossary of Common Terms

Medical terms associated with childhood cancer.

Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC): A term describing the absolute number of total white blood cells that are neutophils or bands. Neutrophils are the body’s first line of defense against infection.
Acute: Occurring suddenly, over a short period of time.
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia: A disorder of blood cell production in which abnormal white blood cells (lymphoblasts) multiply in the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common form of childhood leukemia.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The malignant cell in this disease is an immature granulocyte (myeloblast). It is more resistant to treatment than are other forms of leukemia. It is more common in people over 25 years of age, but can occur in children.
Acyclovir: An antiviral drug.
Adjuvant chemotherapy: The use of anticancer drugs after surgery in patients whose cancers are most likely to recur.
Afebrile: Without fever.
Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant (ALLO): Transplant in which the patient receives bone marrow from someone other than self or twin. In allogeneic transplants, siblings, extended family members and unrelated donors are utilized.
Alopecia: Hair loss.
Alopenia: Absence of hair.
Ampho: An antifungal drug.
Anemia: A condition in which blood is deficient in red blood cells, hemoglobin, or total volume of red blood cells which results in weakness and fatigue.
Angiogenesis: A process by which new blood vessels are formed.
Antibody: A protein made by the body’s immune system usually in response to a foreign body, such as an antigen. Antibodies fight infection.
Antigen: A protein substance that induces the production of antibodies, which fight infection.
Antimetabolites: Anticancer agents that closely resemble substances needed by cells for normal growth. The tumor cell uses the drug instead and “starves” for lack of proper substance.
Antithymocyte Globulin (ATG): A protein preparation used to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease.
Aplastic Anemia: “Nonfunctioning bone marrow;” absence of regeneration of blood cells.
Apoptosis: A complex program of cellular self-destruction resulting in rapid cell death, usually triggered by stress stimuli including cell damage (cell suicide).
Asepsis: Free on infection.
Aspergillus: A species of fungus which can cause infection of any mucous membrane including the ears, lungs, and other organs.
Aspiration: The removal of the marrow from the marrow cavities.
Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant: Transplant in which a patient’s purged or non-purged bone marrow is reinfused following preparation of patient with chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Basement membrane: A specialized extracellular matrix (made of proteins) that forms a protective barrier or sheet separating epithelial cells from stromal cells within a tissue or organ.
Benign Tumor: A noncancerous growth that does not spread to the other parts of the body. Outlook for recovery is favorable with treatment.
Biopsy: A procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the body by a needle or through an incision and examined under a microscope for purposes of diagnosis.
Blast cells: An immature stage in cellular development before appearance of the definitive characteristics of the cell. Remission is less than 5% for acute leukemias.
Blood typing and cross-matching: The blood cells contain factors that are not the same in all people. Before a transfusion can be given, blood samples from the donor and recipient are typed, or classified (type A, B, AB, or O). Once the two blood samples have been typed, they are cross-matched to be absolutely sure that they are compatible. This is done by placing red cells of the donor in a sample of the recipient’s serum and red blood cells of the recipient in a sample of the donor’s serum. If the blood does not “clump,” or agglutinate, the two bloods are compatible. Techniques for typing white blood cells and platelets are similar, but more complex. (See HLA.)
Bone Marrow: The spongy material that fills the cavities of the bones and is the substance in which many of the blood elements are produced. In order to determine the condition of the marrow, a doctor may take a small sample from one of the bones in the chest, hip, spine, or leg, with the help of local anesthesia.

Bone marrow biopsy/aspiration (BM): The removal of a small amount of the liquid portion of the bone marrow by suction into a syringe. A sample is usually taken from one of the bones in the hip and is used to examine blood components and precursors and to detect abnormal or malignant cells.
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT): Procedure in which a patient’s bone marrow is destroyed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy and replaced with new bone marrow from a donor or self.
Cancer: A general term for about 100 diseases characterized by uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells. The resulting mass, or tumor, can invade and destroy surrounding normal tissues. Cancer cells from the tumor can spread through the blood or lymph (the clear fluid that bathes body cells) to start new cancers in other parts of the body. It results from a change in certain cells that allows them to grow and multiply indefinitely, thereby severely interfering with the development and growth of normal tissues.
Carcinogen: A chemical or other agent that causes cancer.
Carcinomas: Cancer that begins in the skin or in the tissues that line or cover internal organs.
Cardiomegaly: Increase in the size of the heart.
CAT Scan: Computerized Axial Tomography. Diagnostic X-ray procedure in which a computer is used to generate a three-dimensional image of an organ or body segment.
CBC (complete blood count): A series of tests to examine components of the blood. The tests are useful in diagnosing certain health problems and in following the effects of treatment.
Central Nervous System (CNS): System consisting of the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord.
Chemotherapy: Treatment using anti-cancer drugs to kill malignant cells.
Child Life worker: A new category of professional who is responsible for making the hospital and treatment experience less intimidating for the child by coordinating play, therapy, schoolwork, and other activities.
Chromatin: Complex of DNA, RNA, and proteins that constitutes a chromosome (chromosomes contain the nucleotide sequences that make up all genes).
Chronic: A term that is used to describe a disease of long duration or one that is progressing slowly.
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): Abnormal maturation and proliferation of white blood cell precursors of myeloid tissue. Characterized by abnormal proliferation of mature leukocytes (white blood cells). A disease similar to acute myelogenous leukemia except that it is a slowly progressive disease. It is rare in children and more common in adults.
Clinical: In general, pertaining to observation and treatment of patients. Clinical research is a term applied to the study and treatment of patients.
CNS (central nervous system): The brain and spinal cord.
Combination Chemotherapy: The use of two or more anticancer medications for treatment of an individual cancer patient.
Combination Therapy: The use of two or more methods to treat an individual cancer patient, e.g., surgery and radiation therapy.
Complete Blood Count (CBC): A series of tests to examine components of the blood. The tests are useful in diagnosing certain health problems and in following the results of treatment.
Conditioning or preparative regimen: Single or multi-agent chemotherapy paired with or without radiation treatments. Its purpose is immunosuppression and to destroy disease cells in blood and bone marrow.
Crisis: A state arising when cells lack telomeres of adequate length, resulting in the end-to-end fusion of chromosomes, karyotypic (genetic) chaos, and cell death by apoptosis.
CSFs (colony stimulating factors): Hormone-like substances that regulate the production and function of blood cells, to promote the growth of infection-fighting white blood cells.
CT Scan (computerized tomograph): Diagnostic x-ray procedure in which a computer is used to generate a three dimensional image.
Culture: A laboratory procedure in which microorganisms contained in samples of blood, secretions, or other body fluids are cultivated in special nutrients used to determine the presence and type of infectious agents.
Cyclophosphamide: A drug used for immunosupression and destruction of leukemia cells. A commonly used brand name is Cytoxan.
Cyclosporine: A drug used to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder that may cause burning, pain, and blood in the urine. It may result from infection or drugs.
Cytomegalovirus: S type of virus which can cause inapparent infections in healthy individuals but is dangerous to immunosuppressed patients. A syndrome similar to infectious mononucleosis associated with CMV infection. This virus may manifest itself as pneumonia, colitis or hepatitis.

Deoxyribonucleid acid (DNA): The basis material of life. DNA is a long, chain-like chemical found in the nucleus of all cells. The segments of the chain are the genetic code that guides the development of every cell.
Diagnosis: The process of utilizing symptoms, laboratory results, and physical examination to determine the nature of a disease.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The basic material of life. DNA is a long, chain-like chemical found in the nucleus of all cells. The segments of the chain are the genetic code that guides the development of every cell.
Dyspigmentation: Abnormal coloration of the skin.
Edema: The accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues.
Electrolytes: Minerals such as calcium, potassium, and sodium that are needed to provide the proper environment for the cells in the body.
Elutriation: A mechanical means of depleting T-cell lymphocytes from the bone marrow.
Engraftment: The successful implantation of donor marrow in the patient’s marrow cavities. Characterized by an increase in WBC and the presence of donor cells in the bone marrow.

Epidemiology: The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems.
Epigenetic: Referring to the changes in the behavior of a cell or in the activity state of its chromatin that do not depend on alterations of DNA nucleotide sequence.
Erythrocytes: Red blood cells. Their main protein component, hemoglobin, carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
Ewing’s sarcoma: A malignant bone tumor, usually occurs in people under 20 years of age.
Extravasation: Leaking of the drug out of the vein and into the skin.
Extubate: Removal of tube used for intubation.
Fungus: A one-celled organism that is generally harmless, however, can cause a serious infection in BMT patients who have a lowered resistance. Examples of fungal infections: candida, aspergillus

Gamma globulin: A class of protein components of the blood containing antibodies effective in defending the body from certain microorganisms.
Gastrointestinal (GI): Pertaining to the digestive tract, which includes the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.
Genetic markers: Various characteristics linked with a person’s genes, which help to determine if blood cells are produced by the marrow are coming from the donor’s marrow.
Germ cell tumors: A type of tumor that begins in the cells that give rise to sperm or eggs. Germ cell tumors can occur almost anywhere in the body and can be either benign or malignant.
Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD): A reaction that may develop following bone marrow transplantation. It severity will depend on how well the antigens of the recipient and donor match. Symptoms may include skin rash, blisters, diarrhea and jaundice. Occurs when new bone marrow (graft) recognizes the patient’s body (host) as foreign and sends T-lymphocytes to attack it.
Granulocytes: One type of white blood cell that destroys invading bacteria.
Haploidentical Transplant: Donor and recipient share only one-half HLA antigens. Generally, a parent e.g. Mom and recipient share chromosome from Mom but Dad’s antigens that recipient inherited are different from Mom.
Hematologist: A physician who specializes in the study of blood cells.
Hematology: The study of blood and blood-forming organs.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell: Blood forming stem cells capable of producing all the components of blood and marrow. Cells capable of both self-renewal and differentiation to white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
Hemoglobin: The iron-protein component in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues.
Hemopoietic: Pertaining to or related to the formation of blood cells.
Hemorrhage: A general term for loss of blood, often profuse, brought about by injury to the blood vessels or by a deficiency of certain necessary blood elements such as platelets.
Hepablastoma: A malignant neoplasm occurring in young children, primarily in the liver, composed of tissue resembling embryonal or fetal hepatic epithelium, or mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tissues.
Herpes simplex: A viral infection that usually produces small, temporary, irritating and sometimes painful fluid-filled blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.
Herpes zoster/shingles: This infection is caused by the same virus that is responsible for chicken pox. It infects the nerve endings and adjacent skin resulting in painful blisters. Children who have not had chicken pox may contract it from individuals with shingles.
Hickman catheter: (see right atrial catheter)
Histocompatibility: The state of similarity between tissues of the donor and the recipient.
HL-A (human histocompatibility antigens): These antigens appear on white blood cells as well as cells of almost all other tissues and are analogous to red blood cell antigens (A, B, etc.). By typing for HL-A antigens, donors and recipients of white blood cells, platelets, and organs can be "matched" to ensure good performance and survival of transfused and transplanted cells.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer affecting the lymphatic tissues, important in the person’s ability to fight infection, characterized by enlarged lymph nodes and spleen. Also called Hodgkin’s disease.

Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA): These antigens appear on white blood cells as well as cells of almost all other tissues and are analogous to red blood cell antigens (A, B, etc). By typing for HLA antigens, donors and recipients of white blood cells, platelets, and organs can be “matched” to ensure good performance and survival of transfused and transplanted cells. Histocompatibility antigens on the surface of nucleated cells determined by a region on chromosome 6 bearing several genetic loci. It is necessary to do HLA typing in order to find donors for transplant patients.
Hyperalimentation (Hyperal): Intravenous administration of nutrients, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. It is also called total parental nutrition.
Immortality: Trait of a cell or population of cells to proliferate (divide) indefinitely.
Immune System: The body's system of defenses against disease, composed of certain white blood cells and antibodies. Antibodies are protein substances that react against bacteria and other harmful material.
Immunology: Study of the body's natural defense mechanisms against disease.
Immunosuppression: Reduction of the functions of the immune system to prevent a reaction against donor marrow cells and to prevent graft-versus-host disease.
Immunotherapy: An experimental method of treating cancer that uses substances that stimulate the body’s immune system.
Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Diseases in which there exists an error in the metabolism of a particular product thereby allowing for an accumulation of this substance in organs and tissues of the body. Otherwise known as metabolic or storage disease.
Infection: The invasion and multiplication of disease-producing organisms in the body. Three common organisms are bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Informed Consent: The permission given by a person before surgery or other kinds of treatment. The patient, or a parent or guardian, must understand the potential risks and benefits of the treatment and legally agree to accept those risks.
Initiation: A process of changing a cell, usually in a stable fashion, so that it is able to respond to growth stimulatory factors; implies that the change involves a mutation in DNA; the first step in multi-step tumorigenesis.
Interferon: Special proteins made by cells to fight virus infections.
Interstitual pneumonia: Inflammation of the lung tissue, often caused by a virus.
Intramuscular (IM): The injection of a drug into muscle tissue, absorbed into the bloodstream.
Intrathecal: An injection that is given directly into the spinal canal to prevent or destroy leukemia cells or to administer other medications.
Intravenous (IV): The administration of a drug, nutrition or fluid directly into a vein.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): An x-ray examination of the kidneys that depends on accumulation and visualization in the kidney of a special substance that is injected into a vein.
Intubation: Insertion of a tube into a body canal or hollow organ to aspirate secretions and for ventilation of the lungs.
Isolation: Placing patients is a special separate room to protect them from contact with any infection when their immune system is weak or to prevent other patients from contact with infected patient.
Isotopic scan: A diagnostic procedure for examining the brain, bones, and other organs. In this procedure, a radioactive substance is introduced intravenously, collects in certain organs, and then is studied by special scanners that detect radioactivity.

Karyotype: The array of chromosomes carried by a cell, and when used clinically, the image of condensed chromosomes, arrayed by similar pairs from largest to smallest.
Kinase: A protein that is an enzyme (a protein that performs a rapid chemical reaction) that attaches phosphate groups to other molecules, often other proteins (or other enzymes). The addition of a phosphate group can change protein shape, location, or function/activity. Most cancers have high levels of specific kinases.
Laminar air-flow room: A room with one-way air flow from a sterile source, which helps prevent the spread of air-borne bacteria and viruses.
Leukemia: Cancer of the blood that begins in the bone marrow where there is an excessive production of immature white blood cells that crowd out and inhibit the growth and development of blood cells.
Leukocyte: The term for all the types of white blood cells.
Leukopenia: Low white blood counts.
Lumbar Puncture (LP): A diagnostic procedure that involves taking and examining a sample of spinal fluid. Also called a spinal tap.

Lymph: A nearly colorless fluid that bathes body cells and moves through the lymphatic vessels of the body.
Lymph nodes: Bean-shaped structures scattered along vessels of the lymphatic system. The nodes act as filters, collecting bacteria or cancer cells that may travel through the lymphatic system.
Lymphangiography: An x-ray procedure that uses a radio-opaque dye to examine the lymph system.
Lymphatic System: Circulatory network of vessels carrying lymph, and the lymphoid organs such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus that produce and store infection fighting cells.
Lymphoblasts: A lymphocyte that is in an eagerly stage of development.
Lymphocyte: One of the major groups of white blood cells formed in the lymph glands. B lymphocytes make antibodies against bacteria and other foreign substances in the body; T lymphocytes attack virus-infected cells and other foreign cells directly.
Lymphoma: A tumor of the lymphatic system caused by abnormal lymphocyte growth.

Malignant: Tending to become progressively worse; in the case of cancer, it implies ability to invade, disseminate, and actively destroy normal tissue.
Malignant tumor: A cancerous growth that started from cancer cells shed by a primary cancer arising in another part of the body. Cells in the new cancer are like those in the original cancer.
Metastasis: Malignant growth forming at a site in the body located distant from the origin of a primary (or first) malignant tumor (i.e. breast cancers often metastasize to the bone, lungs, or brain).
Methotrexate: A drug used to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease.
Monoclonal antibody: Antibodies that recognize specific cells and either attack the cells or lead chemotherapy agents to destroy the malignant cells.
Monocytes: One type of white blood cell that destroys invading bacteria.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves linked to a computer to create pictures of areas inside the body.
Mucositis: Inflammation of the mucous membranes.
Mutation: Change in the nucleotide sequence of a segment of DNA (can include a change in the number of copies of a normal segment or an alteration of its physical structure).
Natural killer cells (NK cells): Large granular lymphocytes which do not express markers of either T or B cell lineage. These cells do possess Fc receptors for IgG and can kill target cells using anti-body dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. NK cells can also use perforin to kill cells in the absence of antibody. Killing occurs without previous sensitization.

Neuroblastoma: A solid tumor (sarcoma) arising from the tissue of the nervous system. Often located in the abdomen, composed chiefly of neuroblasts.
Neutropenia: Low neutrophil count.
Neutrophils: A type of white blood cell that plays a major role in the body’s defense against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most common type of white blood cell in the bloodstream.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two types of non-hodgkin lymphoma: B-cell NHL, which involves the lymph nodes in the neck, head, throat and abdomen. T-cell NHL, which affects lymph nodes in the chest. Occasionally, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can develop in unusual places outside the lymph nodes, such as the stomach. This is called extranodal lymphoma.
Oncogene: A cancer-inducing gene. A gene that when mutated, can cause cancer.
Oncologist: A physician who specializes in cancer.
Oncology: The study of physical, chemical, ad biological properties and features pf cancer.
Oncoprotein: A protein specified by an oncogene (each gene encodes one protein).
Osteogenic sarcoma/ Osteosarcoma: A malignant tumor of the bone. The most common and malignant of bone sarcomas, which arises from bone-forming cells and affects chiefly the ends of long bones; its greatest incidence is in the age group between 10 and 25 years.
Ostomy: A suffix that refers to a surgically created passage connecting an internal organ with the skin of other internal organs.

Pathologist: A physician who interprets and diagnoses the changes caused by disease in body tissue.
Pediatric oncologist: A physician who treats cancer in children.
Peripheral stem cell: Process of removing stem cells from the blood (4-hour long process; similar to dialysis).
Petechiae: Tiny localized hemorrhages from the small blood vessel just beneath the surface of the skin.
Plasma: The liquid portion of the blood that contains numerous proteins and minerals and is necessary for normal blood functioning.
Platelet: One of the main components of the blood that forms clots that seal up injured areas and prevent hemorrhage.
Port: Well-defined area mapped out for radiation.
Prednisone: A hormone-like drug used to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease.
Prognosis: An estimate of the outcome of a disease; a prediction.
Promotion: A process that stimulates or accelerates tumor progression, usually without directly damaging the genome (collection of genes in DNA). That is, involving epigenetic factors.
Prosthesis: An artificial limb.
Protocol: A formal treatment plan that specifies dosages of drugs, times they are to be given, and various procedures and tests necessary during the course of treatment. For research purposes several hospitals will use the same treatment plan for one type of cancer.
Rad: A unit of measurement for radiation.
Radiation Therapist: Radiotion Oncologist. A physician who has had additional specialized training in using radiation to treat human disease. This specialist differs from the radiologist, whose primary role is one of diagnostician.

Radiation therapy: Treatment using high energy radiation from X-ray machines, cobalt, radium, or other sources. This will damage or kill cancer cells and destroy the immune system.
Radioisotope Studies (scans): A diagnostic procedure in which a harmless amount of radioactive chemical is injected into the bloodstream and concentrates in cancer cells. A scanning device passed over the body senses any radioactivity and makes a picture of its location in the body.
Radiologist: A physician with special training in reading diagnostic X-rays.
Radioscope studies/scans/scintigram: A diagnostic procedure in which a harmless amount of radioactive chemical is injected into the bloodstream and concentrates in cancer cells. A scanning device passed over the body senses any radioactivity and makes a picture of its location in the body.
Receptor: Protein found on the cell surface (plasma membrane) or within a cell that is capable of binding a specific signaling molecule (usually a hormone or product of cell metabolism). Most types of receptors emit and/or pass signals to the nucleus, such as those inducing cell proliferation (growth), in response to such binding. The end-point of receptor signaling is regulation of genes in DNA.
Recurrence: The reappearance of a disease after a period when symptoms had lessened or ceased.
Red Blood Cells: Cells that carry oxygen to all the various organs and tissues of the body.
Relapse: The reappearance of a disease after a period when symptoms had lessened or ceased.
Remission: The decrease or disappearance of cancer symptoms. Also the period during which this occurs.
Research Protocol: A general treatment plan that several hospitals use for one type of cancer.
Resection: The surgical removal of any tissue.
Retinoblastoma: A tumor that occurs in the retina. Most often occurs in children younger that 5 years of age.
Rhabdomyosarcoma: A malignant tumor of the soft tissues of the body, usually muscle.
Right atrial catheter: A catheter passed under the skin of the chest wall and inserted into the right chamber of the heart. Used in BMT patients to give medicines and fluids. Designed for long-term use in giving drugs and total parental nutrition, and in withdrawing blood samples (also known as the Hickman catheter).

Sarcoma: A cancer of connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, nerve sheath, or blood vessels.
Senescence: A non-growing cellular state in which cells are metabolically active, but can no longer divide (proliferate or grow).
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease: Disease in which there is a deficiency of B and T lymphocyte cells. It is usually fatal in infancy.
Spleen: An organ located in the upper left abdomen that has many lymphocytes and acts as a filter. It usually becomes enlarged in leukemia and lymphoma.
Stem Cell Transplant: The process of infusing healthy stem cells into persons who have undergone high-dose chemotherapy for one of many forms of leukemia, immunodeficiency, lymphoma, anemias, or metabolic disorders. There are three types of stem cell transplants: autologous, allogeneic and syngeneic. Healthy stem cells are collected from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood. Once the healthy stem cells are infused into the patient's blood stream, the cells move from the blood vessels to the center of the bones, where they begin making new blood cells.
Stem cells: Cells from which all blood cells derive.
Steroids: Drugs used to treat and prevent graft-versus-host disease and to destroy lymphocytes.
Subcutaneous tissue: Tissue beneath the skin.
Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplant: Genetic identical transplant as from an identical twin.
Telomere: Protective structure at the end of a chromosome that prevents degradation and fusion with other chromosomes, so that cell division can proceed accurately (chromosomes replicate and separate without errors during cell division).
Thrombocytopenia: A lowered platelet count.
T-Lymphocytes: Thymus derived lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated hypersensitivity. These cells remain in lymphs as “memory cells.”

Total Parental Nutrition (TPN): The procedure in which nutrients are supplied directly to the bloodstream.
Toxicity: The quality of substance that causes ill effects.
TPN (totalparenteral nutrition): The procedure in which nutrients are supplied directly to the bloodstream.
Transcription: The process of copying DNA sequences into RNA models (RNA is then translated into proteins).
Transcription Factor: A protein that interacts with sequences in DNA to regulate a gene (by causing transcription to occur, and thus RNA to protein to proceed).
Tumor: An abnormal swelling or growth of tissue in a localized area of the body. If benign and removed, it does not grow again. If malignant and not completely removed, it can spread.
Tumor progression: A process of multi-step evolution of a normal cell into a tumor cell; evolution of a benign cell or tumor into a malignant cell or cancer.
Tumor suppressor gene: A gene whose loss or inactivation (by mutation) leads to cancer development; such genes are usually responsible for inhibiting cell proliferation and serve as the “brakes” on the normal cell.
Ultrasound studies: A diagnostic technique in which “pictures” are made by bouncing sound waves off organs and other internal structures. Tumors are identified from these pictures.
Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell: A stem cell from the blood of the umbilical cord and placenta. These cells have the potential to produce all the components of blood in the same manner as stem cells derived from marrow.
Unrelated Bone Marrow or Blood Stem Cell Transplant: A marrow or blood stem cell transplant where the donor is not related to the patient.
Unrelated Donor (URD): The bone marrow transplant donor is not related to the recipient but is closely matched. URD’s are used when no related match can be found.

Vanco (vancomycin): An antibiotic highly effective against gram + bacteria.
Veno: Occlusive Disease (VOD) – Disease caused by obstructed veins, commonly associated with the liver.
White blood count (WBC): A test to determine the total number of leukocytes in the blood.

Wilm’s tumor: A malignant tumor from the kidney, developed while child is still in the womb. Usually occurs in children younger than 5 years old.
X-rays: High-energy radiation used in high doses to treat cancer or in low doses to diagnose the disease.